This year, Ukraine requested 1.2 million 155-mm long-range artillery shells. Of that total, the German company Rheinmetall can manufacture and deliver 100,000 shells—only about 8%.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Pappeneger made this statement at a conference on the results of the first quarter of 2026, according to German Aid in Ukraine. He also noted that the company is prepared to supply ammunition capable of striking targets at ranges of up to 60 km.
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From Defense Express we would like to note that this is consistent with previous reports that Ukraine's General Staff and Ministry of Defense prioritize long-range 155mm artillery shells.
Rheinmetall's product portfolio includes the DM121, which has a range of up to 30 km and up to 36 km when using ERC charges. Its M1711 variant, using a base-bleed system, can reach up to 47 km. These systems are already in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
For instance, there is the Assegai family, which is manufactured primarily at the Rheinmetall Denel plant in South Africa. They can engage targets at ranges of 30–40 km, while some models equipped with a rocket booster extend the range to 50–60 km.
Such ranges are achieved with costly and limited ammunition, while mass production is expected to rely on simpler base-bleed (BB) variants. This, however, shows that a wide range of options is available.
So, Rheinmetall's production capacity for long-range shells is about 100,000 units per year, meaning the remainder must be sourced from other suppliers. The Ukrainian company Ukrainian Armor has announced a production volume of 60,000 units for 2026.
This will require additional suppliers, returning to concerns previously raised with the Defense Procurement Agency about artillery ammunition. After all, Timely contracting and delivery are crucial for meeting this large demand.
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